Learn to Sail: FAQs

Here are a number of items of information that you may find useful for our Learn to Sail program.

Information for Sailing Participants
What should I bring / wear?

Students must bring their own Ministry of Transport of Canada approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device) that fits properly and is correct for their weight. They can be purchased at any Marine Supply store, Canadian Tire, Walmart and other shops.

Students must wear close toed shoes, such as runners, to protect their feet from potential stubbing or cuts. Shoes should be non-slip and not damaged by water.

Students should wear clothing for the day's weather. Please also bring swimming attire, towel, and a change of clothing.

Healthy lunch (peanut free) and snacks (that can be eaten on the water)

Refillable water bottle

What to expect...

Students will be on the water as much as possible.

Students will need to be comfortable in the water - not necessarily a strong swimmer as you will also be wearing a MOT Canada approved PFD.

Leave all valuables that do not agree with salt water on shore, or at home!

Students should leave the following items at home: valuables, toys, phones, electronics, money, etc.

When and where?

All Learn to Sail courses meet in the Yachting Centre.

What qualifications do WVYC Instructors have?

All of our instructors are Sail Canada qualified. With this qualification, there are certain requirements the instructor must keep up to date. These include: First Aid, Sail Canada Boat Safety, and their Pleasure Craft Operator's Card (PCOC).

What discounts do you offer?

We offer an early bird discount on all Summer Learn to Sail courses, before May 1st at 12:00 am

We are a PlayCard partner with the North Vancouver Recreation & Culture. Members and Non-Members can receive a 10%* discount off the following courses: Opti Introand CANSail 1. How it works? Register online for your course, show your NVRC Playcard and proof of registration on the first day of the course to the WVYC Front Office, and a credit of 10% of the course cost will be refunded to you during the duration of the course. *Please note, this offer cannot be combined with the early bird discount or any other offers.

Bring a Friend and Save! Register in any one of our CANSail programs, bring a friend, and both you and your friend will receive a 10%* discount. *Please note, this offer cannot be combined with our early bird discount, NVRC discount or any other offers. As well, this offer cannot be combined with our Optimist Program (Opti Intro, 1, 2 or 3). All you need to do is follow these three easy steps:
(i) register into any one of our CANSail 1 - 6 programs
(ii) encourage your friend(s) to register into any one of our CANSail 1 - 6 programs
(iii) let us know who you referred by sending us an email to sailingdirector@wvyc.ca with the following information: your first and last name, contact information, proof of registration, and the first and last name of your friend. Once we confirm registration of both you and your friend, a credit of 10% of the course cost will be refunded to you and your friend during the duration of the course.

What is your cancellation policy?

For our Youth Programs please note the following:

All accepted registrations are subject to a $35 cancellation fee.

There will be no refunds for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled start date. (Exceptions may be made if the cancellation is due to illness or injury, a doctor's note must be provided.)

There will be no refunds after the start date for the course with zero exceptions.

For our Adult Programs please note the following:

All accepted registrations are subject to a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the total course registration fee.

There will be no refunds for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled start date. (Exceptions may be made if the cancellation is due to illness or injury, a doctor's note must be provided.)

There will be no refunds after the start date for the course with zero exceptions.

If you are put on a waitlist, your enrollment is assumed unless the club is notified otherwise. If a vacancy arises within your requested time frame, you will automatically be enrolled in the course and therefore subject to the aforementioned cancellation policy.